Cuban YouTuber Karina Sánchez Rodríguez (@kary_y_jonyyoutuber) has highlighted the troubling situation in Varadero, Cuba's premier tourist destination, through a video posted on her Instagram account. The once-bustling streets of this beach town are now eerily silent, especially at night, showcasing an unprecedented crisis in the island's tourism sector. "There's no nightlife in Varadero anymore," Sánchez declares in her video.
Accompanied by her camera, she walks through the streets of this tourist hotspot, noting the lack of both locals and visitors in public spaces. "The first thing that strikes you is the absence of people, particularly tourists," she remarks.
According to her account, businesses begin to shut down by 10 PM, and restaurants rarely fill to capacity. This lack of nighttime economic activity starkly contrasts with the high cost of services, rendering the destination unaffordable for most Cubans. "I don't think a worker with a basic salary, or even a professional, can afford to visit here unless they have a side business or another income source," the influencer comments.
The Decline of Cuba's Tourism Industry
The images shared by Sánchez reinforce the perception of the declining tourism sector in Cuba, a crisis that has intensified in recent years. Despite efforts by the regime to promote the island as a prime Caribbean destination, inadequate infrastructure, failing basic services, frequent blackouts, and subpar medical care for visitors have driven tourists away.
In spite of this bleak outlook, the government continues to invest in the construction of luxury hotels, while the population faces a severe housing shortage. For at least five years, the social housing plan has been sidelined, leaving thousands of families in precarious conditions. In cities like Havana, the housing crisis worsens with crumbling buildings and people forced to live in makeshift shelters.
This paradox of a country investing in hotels without tourists while neglecting critical sectors such as health, education, and housing exemplifies the failure of the Cuban regime's economic strategy. Karina Sánchez Rodríguez's account is not merely a chronicle of her visit to Varadero, but also a reflection of the reality in Cuba: a nation that once banked on tourism for development, now facing the decline of its industry without providing solutions for its people.
Understanding Cuba's Tourism Crisis
Why is there no nightlife in Varadero anymore?
The nightlife in Varadero has disappeared due to a significant downturn in tourism, high service costs, and a lack of visitors, making it unaffordable for most Cubans.
What factors have led to the decline of Cuba's tourism industry?
The decline is attributed to inadequate infrastructure, frequent power outages, poor medical care for tourists, and the economic crisis affecting Cuba.
How is the Cuban government responding to the tourism crisis?
Despite the tourism downturn, the government continues to build luxury hotels, neglecting critical needs like housing, health, and education for the Cuban populace.